First Sabbath Offering

The Republic of Paraguay is a landlocked country in South America, where it is bordered by Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil. The population is around 6.1 million inhabitants, 96.1% of whom profess Christianity (88.3% Catholicism and 7.8% other Christian faiths); 2.6% profess no religion, and the remainder are of other religions or did not specify. The national economy is based primarily on agriculture—especially soybeans—and over the last 50 years, Paraguay has also cultivated a vast hydroelectric power industry.

The first SDA Reform Movement members arrived here from Hungary in the 1940’s and the work expanded further in the 1950’s through the colporteur ministry and later in the 1970’s through medical missionary work. We currently have a wonderful group of faithful members in the main cities.

For many years we had a natural health center operating in the capital city of Asunción, enabling us to share the gospel with many souls and to teach the lifestyle of God’s remnant people. With the help of God and our interdisciplinary team of professionals, we hope to revive the clinic—but now for it to function as an outreach in the city, with an extension in the countryside to fulfill the divine mandate: “ ‘Move out of the cities. Establish your sanitariums, your schools, and offices away from the centers of population.’ ”—Selected Messages, bk. 2, p. 357.

With this vision in mind, we acquired a plot of land in an imposing rural area in the department of Paraguarí, about 66 km. (41 miles) from the capital. We already have a sanctuary and parsonage on the property, but this is only the beginning. The goal is to establish a multifunctional center with a basic health center, church school, chapel, and a facility for the development of self-supporting health food enterprises.

We appeal to the generosity of our worldwide brethren to help us bring this goal to fruition. Your collaboration will give new impetus to the last phase necessary to complete the project. We rest in the power and wonderful grace of God and are sure that the Lord will bless the efforts of our community around the world to empower and expand evangelism in this part of His vineyard.

Your brethren and sisters from the Paraguayan Field